Improvement in dress-shields



CORNMELIA a. WILBER.

DRESS-SHIELD.

Patented Feb.29,1876.

N PETERS. FHOTQ-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, By C PATENT QFFIG'E.

OORNELIA J. WILBER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRESS-SHIELDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 74,099, dated February 29, 1876; application filed November 15,1875.

To all whom it may concern 'Be it known that I, GORNELIA J. WILBER, of Bufi'alo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have made certain Improvements in Ladies Dress-Shields, of which the following is a specification This improvement relates to shields worn in the arm-holes in ladies dressesfand my invention consists in arranging a combination of rubber cloth, a thin lining of linen or cotton fabric, and an interposed layer of sponge, the latter making an absorbent for the perspiration, all as hereinafter specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation; Fig. 2, a cross-section.

A represents that part or flap of the shield of rubber cloth which is worn next the skill. It is shaped out at the top,and a smaller rubber-cloth flap, B, is attached thereto. This goes under the arm, next the skin, into the sleeve. a is the thin lining of cotton or other fabric, and attached to this in the upper part is a thin layer of sponge, b b.

The dress-shieldsusually worn are merely made of rubber cloth, and are fastened in the dress, and there remain until the dress wears,

out. This soon becomes permeated with perspiration, and consequently offensive, and the rubber being acted on also becomes rotten.

My shield is removable for the purpose of cleaning, &c. The sponge is attached to the linen or cotton lining, leaving the rubber cloth free. The lining with the sponge part can be raised up from the rubber, and washed out in a few moments, making it as clean and sweet as before use.

The great advantage of this construction, aside from the shield being removable, is the use of the thin layerot'sponge, which will absorb the perspiration and prevent it from soaking through the rubber cloth and dress, and when washed out becomes as free from odor as in the beginning, as before stated. It also makes a soft pad for the arm at the point of contact.

There are two elastic straps for holding the shield in place, one (J attached to the apex c of one end of the shield, the other end fastened in any suitable manner to the opposite end (1. The other elastic strap D isattaehed at one end to one side of the part that goes into the dress-sleeve, and is buttoned or other- Wise fastened on the opposite side. This is for the purpose of keeping that part of the shieldin position next the arm to prevent it bending or slipping up.

I claim- A dress-shield consisting of the rubber-cloth flaps A B, the fabric lining we, and interposed layer of sponge b, as and for the pur- In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing T. H. PARSONS. 

